Advances in additive manufacturing of SiC/Al composites: A review

SiC/Al composites are widely utilized in aerospace, optics, automobile, and electronic packaging due to their high specific strength and modulus, wear resistance, and low coefficient of thermal expansion. Traditional preparation techniques for SiC/Al composites, such as powder metallurgy, casting, and infiltration, have advanced to a mature stage of research, with certain outcomes transitioning into industrial applications. The incorporation of the SiC ceramic phase in SiC/Al composites improves their mechanical properties while posing challenges for conventional mechanical processing methods. Additive manufacturing (AM) involves converting a 3D solid model (CAD model) of a part into a series of 2D layer-sheet data, which are then used to build up materials layer by layer in a specific sequence to create a 3D solid part. Compared to traditional methods, AM offers significant advantages in terms of customization and the fabrication of complex parts. This paper extensively discusses 7 a.m. methods for fabricating SiC/Al composites, categorizing them as direct or indirect manufacturing based on their forming process. With the continuous advancement in materials science and technology, the enhancement of SiC/Al composite properties and exploration of new application areas persist. It is expected that SiC/Al composites will play a vital role in high-end manufacturing sectors and propel technological progress in related industries. This review provides researchers in the field of composites with insights to leverage AM for producing SiC/Al composites.